The Clueless Critic

Lost Horizon is a 1937 American adventure drama fantasy film directed by Frank Capra. The screenplay by Robert Riskin is based on the 1933 novel of the same name by James Hilton.  Come join us as we talk about the most expensive film ever made based on the first book to ever be mass marketed.  What happened to all that lost footage?  Why did Capra go cry in his car? And who are the Gen Z kids shipping in this movie?  Watch this amazing Frank Capra film, have a listen to our blundering banter, and don't take any wooden nickels.

Zazie dans le Métro is a 1960 French film directed by Louis Malle  based on the book by Raymond Queneau. Surreal?  Dada? Looney Tunes?  Monty-Python?  The Muppets?  How do you describe this film?  And how on earth did this come from a novel to begin with?  And what kind of crazy person thought they could film this unfilmable bewildering masterpiece?

Mikey and Nicky is a 1976 American drama written and directed by the fabulous Elaine May.   It stars John Cassavetes as a desperate small-time mobster and Peter Falk (Columbo himself) as his longtime, childhood friend. The supporting cast features Ned Beatty, Carol Grace, Emmet Walsh and Sanford Meisner of the Meisner Method acting technique fame.  Join us as we dive into the career of Elaine May, the oddity of making this film, and the story of how a brilliant comedian and visionary director got the nickname of Mrs. Hitler.  This episode now available on this random-time-interval of The Clueless Critic.

"Sorcerer" depicts four lowlifes from varied backgrounds meeting in a South American oil-company village, where they volunteer to transport cargoes of aged, poorly kept dynamite that is so unstable that it is 'sweating' its dangerous basic ingredient, nitroglycerin.  If you've never heard of this movie it might be because of that terrible title.  That title is almost as bad as C.H.U.D. or Blackenstein.  But at least with Blackenstein you have a vague idea about what you are going to watch.  Enough about the title!  The real story is how amazing this film is and how it was essentially swallowed by the release and popularity of Star Wars.  Be one of the lucky ones and watch this great film and join us in our drunken banter on The Clueless Critic.

A pure joy.  A delightful film.  Magic.  Yes, Alec Guinness slays it as nine different characters.  But a lot of the magic is coming form the star Dennis Price as he masterfully sets the tone of the whole film and gets us to root for this murderous duke in this dark comedy.  Find out why this gem strikes our hearts and may be my favorite film thus far featured on The Clueless Critic.

Woof! Kevin's education into film gets extremely dark as Raph gravitates toward the hard-core horror he finds so titillating.  I'll never complain about Spike of Bensonhurst again!  A must see film for horror fans, this weird little Turkish gem delivers a terrifying spiral into darkness and shares the awesome presence of the amazing Mehmet Cerrahoglu (devil-guy?) with the world.  This film may just turn your stomach or turn you on to the horror genre forever. Join us, weirdos, as we dive into the hellscape in "BASKIN"!

Why did John make us watch this movie?  Why, John, why?  Listen and find out why and how this film found a special place in John Riley's heart.  Also, if you are playing the drinking game at home.  Drink a shot every time John says the word "Communists!"

Dario Argento's debut film has been credited with popularizing the Italian giallo genre.  Hop aboard the giallo train with us as we give our take on The Bird with the Crystal Plumage.

Umm, what?

He's swimming across some pools. Why on Earth?